Information and Marketing Transparency Policy

1. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that all information published, distributed or communicated by Academus Training Institute is accurate, transparent, ethical, current and not misleading.

This includes information provided through marketing, advertising, website content, social media, brochures, student information documents, enrolment materials, course flyers, verbal advice, emails and any other communication provided to prospective or current domestic students.

Academus Training Institute recognises that students must receive clear and truthful information before making a decision to enrol. This policy ensures that students are not misled about course requirements, fees, delivery arrangements, assessment requirements, support services, certification outcomes, licensing pathways or employment outcomes.

This policy supports informed student choice, ethical marketing practices, consumer protection expectations and compliance with the Standards for RTOs 2025.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all domestic student information and marketing activities conducted by Academus Training Institute.

It applies to all staff and representatives involved in preparing, approving, publishing, distributing or communicating information about Academus Training Institute and its training products, including:

• CEO
• Training Manager
• Administration staff
• Enrolment staff
• Marketing staff
• Student support staff
• Trainers and assessors
• Compliance staff
• Contractors or third parties acting on behalf of Academus Training Institute, where approved

This policy applies to information provided through:

• Website content
• Course flyers
• Brochures
• Social media posts
• Digital advertisements
• Printed advertisements
• Email campaigns
• SMS messages
• Student handbooks
• Course information sheets
• Enrolment forms
• Fee schedules
• Information sessions
• Verbal course advice
• Student recruitment communications
• Any other published or distributed student information

This policy applies only to domestic student marketing and information. It does not apply to international student, CRICOS or overseas student recruitment arrangements.

3. Policy Statement

Academus Training Institute is committed to honest, ethical and transparent marketing and student information practices.

All information provided by Academus Training Institute must:

• Be accurate and current.
• Be written clearly and professionally.
• Be consistent with the RTO’s scope of registration.
• Use correct course codes and titles.
• Accurately describe delivery arrangements.
• Accurately explain fees and refund conditions.
• Accurately describe assessment requirements.
• Accurately describe support services.
• Clearly state entry requirements.
• Clearly explain any licensing or regulatory requirements.
• Avoid false, misleading or exaggerated claims.
• Avoid promises that cannot be guaranteed.
• Be approved before publication or distribution.

Students must be provided with information that allows them to make an informed decision before enrolment.

4. Marketing and Information Principles

4.1 Accuracy

Information must be factually correct and based on approved course information, Training and Assessment Strategies, fee schedules, policies and registration details.

4.2 Transparency

Important course conditions must not be hidden, unclear or presented in a way that could mislead students.

4.3 Student Protection

Marketing must not pressure, confuse or mislead students into enrolling in a course that is unsuitable for their needs or eligibility.

4.4 Consistency

Information provided verbally, online, in writing and through marketing materials must be consistent.

4.5 Approval Before Use

Information and marketing materials must be reviewed and approved before publication, distribution or use.

4.6 Prompt Correction

Any incorrect, outdated or misleading information must be corrected or removed as soon as practicable after it is identified.

5. Course Information Requirements

All course information published or provided to prospective domestic students must accurately describe the course being offered.

Course information must include, where applicable:

• Full course or qualification title
• National course, qualification, skill set or unit code
• RTO code
• Course duration
• Delivery mode
• Delivery location
• Course structure
• Units of competency
• Entry requirements
• Pre-requisite requirements
• Practical training requirements
• Assessment requirements
• Certification outcome
• Fees and payment arrangements
• Refund information
• Student support options
• Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer options
• Licensing or regulatory requirements, where applicable

Course information must be checked against the RTO’s current scope of registration and approved Training and Assessment Strategy before publication.

6. Use of RTO Code and Nationally Recognised Training References

Where Academus Training Institute refers to nationally recognised training, its RTO status or registration, it must use the correct RTO details.

The following information must be used accurately where relevant:

• Organisation name: Academus Training Institute
• RTO Code: 46483
• ABN: 59 674 526 375
• Website: www.academus.edu.au
• National Register reference: training.gov.au, where appropriate

The Nationally Recognised Training logo must only be used in accordance with applicable conditions of use and only in relation to nationally recognised training products on Academus Training Institute’s scope of registration.

Academus Training Institute must not use regulatory body names, logos or references in a way that suggests endorsement, special approval or guarantee unless such a claim is accurate and authorised.

7. Fees, Charges and Refund Information

Marketing and student information must accurately describe course fees and payment arrangements.

Fee information must include, where applicable:

• Total course fee
• Enrolment fee
• Tuition fee
• Material or resource fee
• Assessment or reassessment fee
• Payment due dates
• Payment plan options, where offered
• Any additional charges
• Refund policy summary
• How to access the full Fees and Refund Policy

Academus Training Institute must not advertise a course price in a misleading way or hide compulsory fees.

Where promotional pricing, discounts or special offers are used, the conditions must be clearly stated.

Students must be given access to refund information before enrolment.

8. Entry Requirements and Course Suitability

Marketing and course information must clearly state entry requirements.

Entry requirements may include:

• Minimum age
• Identification requirements
• USI requirements
• Language, literacy, numeracy and digital requirements
• Pre-requisite units or qualifications
• Physical participation requirements
• Prior experience requirements
• Licensing or regulatory eligibility requirements
• Police check or background check requirements, where applicable
• Work rights or eligibility conditions, where relevant

Students must not be led to believe that they can complete or benefit from a course if they clearly do not meet the required entry conditions.

Where a course has licensing or regulatory requirements, these must be clearly explained before enrolment.

9. Licensing and Regulatory Outcome Claims

Where a course may support a student’s application for an industry licence, regulatory approval or work-related requirement, the information must be accurate and carefully worded.

Academus Training Institute must not guarantee that a student will receive a licence, job, approval or employment outcome unless this is completely within the RTO’s control and factually correct.

Where an external licensing authority makes the final decision, students must be clearly informed that:

• Successful course completion does not automatically guarantee licence approval.
• The licensing authority may apply additional requirements.
• Students are responsible for meeting licensing eligibility requirements.
• Academus Training Institute’s role is limited to training, assessment and certification within its approved scope.

This is particularly important for regulated training areas such as security, RSA, first aid or other industry-linked programs.

10. Employment, Career and Outcome Claims

Academus Training Institute must not make false, exaggerated or unsupported claims about employment, salary, promotion, career advancement or job guarantees.

Marketing materials must not state or imply that students are guaranteed:

• Employment
• A job interview
• A security licence
• A particular income
• A promotion
• Migration outcomes
• Government approval
• Automatic industry acceptance

Any claim about employment outcomes, graduate outcomes or industry outcomes must be supported by current and verifiable evidence.

Where general career pathway information is provided, it must be presented as a possible pathway, not a guaranteed outcome.

11. Prohibited Marketing Practices

Academus Training Institute must not use marketing or information practices that are false, misleading, unfair or unethical.

Prohibited practices include:

• Advertising courses not on scope.
• Using incorrect course codes or titles.
• Misrepresenting course duration.
• Misrepresenting fees or hiding compulsory charges.
• Guaranteeing employment or licence approval.
• Making unsupported claims about student outcomes.
• Suggesting endorsement by ASQA or government where no endorsement exists.
• Using student testimonials in a misleading way.
• Using images that misrepresent facilities, students or training delivery.
• Pressuring students to enrol.
• Making verbal promises that are not supported by approved course information.
• Comparing ATI with other providers using unverified claims.
• Advertising superseded training products without clear transition information.
• Failing to disclose important entry or eligibility requirements.

12. Website and Digital Information

Academus Training Institute’s website must provide accurate and current information about the organisation and its courses.

Website information must be reviewed regularly to ensure that:

• Course details are current.
• Fees are accurate.
• Contact details are correct.
• RTO information is correct.
• Policies and student information are accessible.
• Outdated information is removed.
• Links are working.
• Course pages match approved course information.
• Licensing or regulatory information is accurate.

Digital information includes website pages, online forms, downloadable documents, advertisements, search listings, online directories and third-party listings controlled or approved by Academus Training Institute.

Incorrect or outdated website information must be corrected as soon as practicable after identification.

13. Social Media and Online Advertising

Social media and online advertising must comply with the same standards as formal marketing materials.

This includes posts or advertisements on platforms such as:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• Google Business Profile
• Google Ads
• YouTube
• TikTok
• Online directories
• Other digital platforms

Social media content must not mislead students about course outcomes, fees, duration, licence eligibility or employment opportunities.

Any post that includes course information must be checked against approved course details before publication.

Students must not be encouraged to enrol based on incomplete, exaggerated or unclear information.

14. Printed Marketing Materials

Printed marketing materials must be reviewed and approved before use.

Printed materials may include:

• Flyers
• Posters
• Brochures
• Course guides
• Information sheets
• Business cards containing course claims
• Printed advertisements
• Student information packs

Printed materials must include accurate course and RTO information and must be removed from use when they become outdated.

Old versions must not continue to be distributed after course details, fees, contact details, regulatory requirements or scope information changes.

15. Verbal Information and Student Enquiries

Staff who respond to student enquiries must provide accurate and approved information.

Staff must not:

• Guess answers to compliance-sensitive questions.
• Promise enrolment acceptance before eligibility is checked.
• Guarantee licensing outcomes.
• Guarantee employment outcomes.
• Minimise course difficulty or assessment requirements.
• Hide fees or refund conditions.
• Pressure students to enrol immediately.
• Provide advice outside their role or knowledge.

Where staff are unsure, they must refer the enquiry to the CEO, Training Manager, Compliance Officer or another authorised staff member.

Important advice provided verbally should be supported by written information where possible.

16. Student Testimonials, Photos and Reviews

Student testimonials, photos, videos and reviews must only be used ethically and with appropriate permission.

Academus Training Institute must ensure that:

• Student consent is obtained where required.
• Testimonials are genuine.
• Testimonials are not edited in a misleading way.
• Photos or videos accurately represent the training environment.
• Students are not pressured to provide positive feedback.
• Reviews are not fabricated or manipulated.
• Testimonials do not guarantee the same outcome for future students.

Where a testimonial refers to an outcome, the wording must not suggest that every student will achieve the same result.

17. Third-Party or Contractor Representation

Where any third party, contractor or external representative provides information on behalf of Academus Training Institute, ATI remains responsible for ensuring that information is accurate and compliant.

Third parties must:

• Use only approved course information.
• Represent ATI honestly and accurately.
• Avoid unsupported claims.
• Avoid pressuring students to enrol.
• Follow ATI marketing and information requirements.
• Correct inaccurate information when directed.
• Refer complex enquiries to ATI.

Academus Training Institute must not allow any third party to publish or distribute course information that has not been reviewed or approved.

Where a third party provides false or misleading information, ATI must take corrective action.

18. Approval of Marketing Materials

Marketing materials must be reviewed and approved before publication or use.

Approval may consider whether the material:

• Uses correct RTO details.
• Uses correct course codes and titles.
• Matches the approved scope of registration.
• Accurately describes fees.
• Accurately describes delivery arrangements.
• Accurately describes entry requirements.
• Accurately describes assessment requirements.
• Avoids false or unsupported claims.
• Clearly identifies important conditions.
• Is suitable for domestic student marketing.
• Aligns with relevant policies and procedures.

Major marketing campaigns, new course pages or compliance-sensitive materials must be approved by the CEO or delegated authorised person before release.

19. Monitoring of Published Information

Academus Training Institute will monitor published information to ensure continued accuracy and compliance.

Monitoring may include review of:

• Website content
• Course flyers
• Social media posts
• Advertisements
• Student information documents
• Enrolment materials
• Fee schedules
• Third-party listings
• Google Business Profile information
• Downloadable forms and policies

Monitoring must occur at least annually and earlier where course, fee, regulatory, scope or delivery information changes.

Where inaccurate or outdated information is found, it must be corrected or removed.

20. Managing Incorrect or Misleading Information

Where incorrect, outdated or misleading information is identified, Academus Training Institute must take prompt corrective action.

Actions may include:

• Removing the material from use.
• Correcting website or digital content.
• Replacing printed materials.
• Notifying affected students where appropriate.
• Correcting verbal advice with written confirmation.
• Reviewing enrolment decisions where the information may have affected student choice.
• Offering complaint or appeal information where appropriate.
• Recording the issue in the Continuous Improvement Register.
• Providing staff training where required.
• Reviewing approval controls to prevent recurrence.

Where the issue may have financially or educationally disadvantaged a student, Academus Training Institute must act fairly and reasonably.

21. Records and Version Control

Academus Training Institute must maintain appropriate records of marketing and information approval where required.

Records may include:

• Approved marketing materials
• Version-controlled course information sheets
• Website review records
• Fee schedule versions
• Marketing approval records
• Email campaign records
• Social media approval records
• Student information documents
• Records of corrections made
• Continuous improvement records

Version control must be applied to key student information documents, including course information sheets, handbooks, policies and fee schedules.

Outdated versions must be removed from circulation where practicable.

22. Staff Responsibilities

All staff must take reasonable care to ensure student information is accurate.

Staff must:

• Use approved information only.
• Report outdated or incorrect materials.
• Avoid unsupported claims.
• Refer complex enquiries to authorised staff.
• Keep student information consistent.
• Avoid pressure-based recruitment.
• Respect student decision-making.
• Maintain professionalism in all communications.
• Protect ATI’s reputation through ethical conduct.

Staff who repeatedly provide inaccurate or misleading information may be subject to performance management or disciplinary action.

23. Roles and Responsibilities

24. Related Documents

This policy should be read together with the following documents:

• Student Information Pre-Enrolment Policy
• Enrolment and Admissions Policy
• Training Delivery Policy
• Training and Assessment Strategy
• Fees and Refund Policy
• Complaints and Appeals Policy
• Student Support During Training Policy
• Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy
• Privacy Policy
• Records Management Policy
• Continuous Improvement Policy
• Student Handbook
• Course Information Documents

25. Review and Approval

This policy will be reviewed annually or earlier where required due to changes in:

• Standards for RTOs
• Scope of registration
• Training package requirements
• Course delivery arrangements
• Fees or refund arrangements
• Licensing or regulatory requirements
• Marketing practices
• Student information processes
• Complaints, appeals or feedback
• Internal audit findings
• Continuous improvement outcomes

Next Review Date: July 2027